By: Sampson W Weah – sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
Tubmanburg, Bomi County – In a proactive effort to enhance fire safety awareness and emergency preparedness in Liberia, the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), led by Deputy Director for Operations Edwin Tisdell, has launched a weeklong fire safety awareness and compliance outreach in the western region, starting in Bomi County.
The initiative targets Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount counties, with the goal of educating residents on practical fire prevention strategies, assessing local fire response capabilities, and ensuring public and private institutions are meeting basic fire safety standards.
Speaking at the campaign’s kickoff in Bomi County, the LNFS team emphasized the urgent need for communities to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent fires and respond effectively in emergencies.
During their visit, Tisdell and his team engaged with students, local leaders, and authorities through interactive discussions at schools, the county radio station, and the office of the Bomi County Superintendent.
“We are committed to building a culture of safety and preparedness across Liberia, and that starts with engagement at the grassroots level,” said Tisdell. “Our visit to Bomi is not just about checking boxes. It’s about saving lives.”
A key highlight of the outreach was hands-on demonstrations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid techniques. These sessions provided residents with critical life-saving skills that can make a significant difference during fires, accidents, or medical emergencies.
The LNFS team stressed that this campaign is part of a broader national effort to strengthen fire safety systems across Liberia and empower citizens to take active roles in protecting their homes, schools, and workplaces.
While other LNFS directors are conducting similar initiatives in different regions, Tisdell and his team are focusing specifically on the western counties. The outreach is set to continue in Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount counties in the coming days, with similar engagement activities planned throughout the week.
The initiative has been well received by local leaders and residents, who praised the effort and pledged their support to build stronger, more resilient communities and reduce fire-related risks.
As Liberia continues to face fire safety challenges—especially in under-resourced areas—initiatives like this are seen as vital steps toward improving national emergency response and safety standards.
